Coffee consumption and your health. This sought after bean has some suprising health benefits.

A growing anatomy of research which shows that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are:

1. less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia
2. have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes


Researchers don't ask people to drink or skip coffee for science's sake. Instead, they ask them about their coffee habits. Those studies can't show cause and effect. It's possible that coffee drinkers have other advantages, such as better diets, more exercise, or protective genes.

There isn't solid proof. But there are signs of potential health perks.

If you're like the average American, who downed 416 8-ounce cups of coffee in 2009 (by the World Resources Institute's estimates), you might want to know what all that java is doing for you, or to you.

Here is the condition-by-condition look at the research.

Type 2 Diabetes

Dr. Hu of Harvard University calls the data on coffee and [type 2] diabetes "pretty solid," based on more than 15 published studies.

Dr. Frank Hu of Harvard University Medical School found that, among study participants, those who drank several cups of coffee per day were, on average, 35% less likely to have type 2 diabetes than those who reported drinking two cups of coffee or less every day. This is due to a combination of magnesium and chromium, two compounds found in coffee that help the body use insulin more effectively.

More recently, Australian researchers looked at 18 studies of nearly 458,000 people. They found a 7% drop in the odds of having type 2 diabetes for every additional cup of coffee drunk daily. There were similar risk reductions for decaf coffee drinkers and tea drinkers.

How is coffee a potential diabetes preventative?

Dr. Hu states that "it's a complete package". He indicates coffees antioxidants and nutrients help prevent tissue damage caused by molecules called oxygen-free radicals. “We know that coffee has a very strong antioxidant capacity," States Dr. Hu.

Coffee also contains minerals such as magnesium and chromium, which help the body use the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar (glucose). In type 2 diabetes, the body loses its ability to use insulin and regulate blood sugar effectively.

Studies also show that it's probably not the caffeine, based on the studies of decaf coffee.

Graphic Design by: Janis Amoura

That single cup of coffee that we wait in line at the drive through every morning on our way to work is becoming more expensive. 

Tim Hortons coffee announced it's 4.5 % price hike on April 4th of this year with U.S prices already being raised by about 3 %. Unfortunately, Columbia has had the worst rains in decades which have created a huge problem with fungus that destroys the coffee plants. This issue is not only the contributing factor as growing economies like China and India who willingly spend the money on the caffein fix, has led to dwindling world coffee stockpiles.

Starbucks announced last month that it will sell packaged coffees for an average of 12 per cent more. The chain has also raised prices on some drinks in its coffee shops last year.

Obtaining that single cup of coffee outside the home or office is becoming more expensive and quite unpredictable with the world market as it is. It only makes economic sense to purchase your own Single Cup coffee brewer. There is a considerable difference in cost with no loss in quality and an increase in variety that caters to all especially those with a serious global conscious.

Brewing your own single cup coffee in the morning before you head out to work not only saves you the aggravation waiting in line at the drive through, which can be quite long if you didn't arrived at the right time when running a little late. Your choices are greater with home single cup brewing and without the higher cost, lost time in line ups at the drive through and the ability to explore other specialty blends from some of the top roasters and brand names in the world. 

Graphic Design by: Janis Amoura

Being a newly converted consumer to the convenience of single cup coffee brewing; I was taken with the new BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer. Instead of having to brew an entire pot of coffee which is wasteful and time consuming first thing in the morning when all I want is a quality cup of coffee before I have to fly out the door. 

The MY CAFÉ Coffee Pod Brewer precisely controls brewing temperature and time to extract the superior flavor of your favorite brand of coffee and tea pods. Pods typically range in weight from 6 – 12 grams or more, so experimentation with the amount of water you add to your brewer is encouraged in order to obtain the perfect cup of coffee for your personal taste. I also use MY CAFÉ Single Cup Brewer to dispense hot water for cocoa as well as other hot drinks. Just leave the pod out of the pod drawer and press brew. 

I also appreciate the green factor when using my new BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Coffee Pod Brewer as there are no plastic cups to dispose of that is common with the Keurig Coffee Brewers. 

I have to say that going back to brewing full pots of coffee are long gone for me and I know that anyone who has never tried the BUNN, MY CAFÉ Single Cup Brewer will be easily converted just for the convenience alone.